Detectives from Springfield are questioning a man in Boone County Arkansas in connection to a homicide investigation.

A family member found Gary Lee Russell age 57 dead in his home on the 1700 block of East Florida Street shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday evening after they had not heard from him for some time.

Springfield, Missouri Police Lt. David Millsap was one of the offices to respond to the call of Gary Lee Russell’s home. According to Police Lt. David Millsap, “It appears that he had been dead for some time. I can’t discuss the cause of death at this time because I have not seen the autopsy results, but it did not appear that Mr. Russell had been shot or stabbed.” However Springfield Police were calling his death suspicious.

Family members of Gary Lee Russell also reported his 2002 Ford Explorer missing/stolen.

On Sunday evening Taney County deputies and Missouri State Troopers were involved in a high speed pursuit of a 2002 Ford Explorer along Highway 65, with Branson and Hollister police called in just in case more help was needed.

The subject’s vehicle changed directions several times in Taney County, finally heading south into Boone County, Harrison, Arkansas.

The Boone County Sheriff’s news release stated that Arkansas authorities were notified of the fleeing suspect in a 2002 Ford Explorer by the Taney County Sheriff’s Office, which began pursuing the subject south on Missouri 65 from Hollister.

Spike Strip

The high speed pursuit crossed into Arkansas, where Boone County deputies and Arkansas State Police joined the effort, setting “spike strips” at several locations to try to stop the man.

The subject of the 2002 Ford Explorer reportedly turned around several times near the state line to avoid the spikes.

Officers eventually attempted to “box in” the Ford Explorer, after which the subject struck a deputy’s vehicle and spun out. The subject was then arrested and taken to the jail.

According to Springfield Police Lt. David Millsap the driver of the 2002 Ford Explorer was identified as Jefferey Todd Wooderson.

Jefferey Todd Wooderson

Jefferey Todd Wooderson was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, a felon in possession of a firearm, driving while intoxicated and felony fleeing, according to a news release from Boone County Sheriff Danny Hickman. Sheriff Hickman also stated in the release that a “hold” also was placed on Jefferey Todd Wooderson in connection with Springfield Police’s ongoing investigation into the death of 57-year-old Gary Lee Russell.

Sheriff Danny Hickman

No charges have been filed against Jefferey Todd Wooderson in connection to Russell’s death as of noon today, and the investigation is ongoing according to Springfield Police Lt. David Millsap.

A suspect in the killing of a Springfield man is being held in the Boone County, Ark. jail after deputies and state police there helped arrest him during a high-speed pursuit Sunday.

Jefferey Todd Wooderson allegedly led law enforcement officers from Missouri and Arkansas on a chase that began in Taney County. He is being held on charges of felony fleeing, aggravated assault, a felon in possession of a firearm and DWI, according to a news release from Boone County Sheriff Sheriff Danny Hickman.

Hickman said A family member found Russell dead inside his home in the 1700 block of East Florida Street shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday, according to Springfield police.

Wooderson allegedly was driving Russell’s 2002 Ford Explorer when he was arrested. Springfield police were in Harrison, Ark. interviewing him today.

A man from Springfield is in the Boone county jail in connection with an ongoing homicide investigation in Springfield.

Sheriff Danny Hickman says 42-year-old Jeffery Todd Wooderson was booked Sunday night on charges of felony fleeing, aggravated assault, being a felon in possession of a firearm and driving while intoxicated. Wooderson was taken into custody following a pursuit which began in Taney County…

Hickman says the pursuit reached speeds of approximately 75 miles per hour, and that Wooderson drove into oncoming traffic at Bear Creek north of Harrison to avoid more spike strips. Wooderson then reportedly drove his vehicle into a Boone County patrol unit and was apprehended.